Sunday, May 31, 2009

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via your mailbox, library, store, etc. You can find out more information on how to setup your own In My Mailbox here.

Below is a list of books I've acquired this past week. Can't wait to dip into them.

Bought:

Dull Boyby Sarah Cross

-because of my giveaway that ends next SaturdayPlease enter to win yourself a copy!

Description from author's site:Auction catalogs can tell you a lot about a person -- their passions and vanities, peccadilloes and aesthetics; their flush years and lean.In Leanne Shapton's marvelously inventive and invented auction catalog, the 325 lots up for auction are what remain from the relationship between Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris. Through photographs of the couple's personal effects -- the usual auction items (jewelry, fine art, and rare furniture) and the seemingly worthless (pajamas, Post-it notes, worn paperbacks) -- the story of a failed love affair vividly (and cleverly) emerges. From first meeting to final separation, the progress and rituals of intimacy are revealed through the couple's accumulated relics and memorabilia. And a love story, in all its tenderness and struggle, emerges from the evidence that has been left behind, laid out for us to appraise and appreciate.

My thoughts:In-a-word: StuffWho would have thought that a relationship between two people could be described with the stuff they owned. Through pictures, letters and email you can get a good sense of the two main characters. Definitely a book to check out for its unique-ness!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Synopsis from Barnes & Noble:"Dead girl walking," the boys say in the halls."Tell us your secret," the girls whisper, one toilet to another.I am that girl.I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest.But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend's restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

-because how can your resist if you love fashion and anything Pride and Prejudice ?!?

Description from author's site:Fifteen-year-old Callie buys a pair of real Prada pumps to impress the cool crowd on a school trip to London. Goodbye, Callie the clumsy geek-girl, hello popularity! But before she knows what’s hit her, Callie wobbles, trips, conks her head… and wakes up in the year 1815!

She stumbles about until she meets the kind-hearted Emily, who takes Callie in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. Sparks soon fly between Callie and Emily’s cousin, Alex, the maddeningly handsome—though totally arrogant—Duke of Harksbury. Too bad he seems to have something sinister up his ruffled sleeve…

From face-planting off velvet piano benches and hiding behind claw-foot couches to streaking through the estate halls wearing nothing but an itchy blanket, Callie’s curiosity about Alex creates all kinds of trouble.

But the grandfather clock is ticking on her 19th Century shenanigans. Can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, win a kiss from Alex, and prove to herself that she’s more than just a loud-mouth klutz before her time there is up?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Dull Boy giveaway at Diana Peterfreund's site is done. I wasn't a winner. Boo Hoo. But I reeeeeeally liked the superhero creation idea and am excited for the book! I plan to get a copy for myself. And, I've decided to pick up an extra copy for my first book giveaway this week.

Note: After making your superhero, you have to press the download tab and save the file -- the default name is "MyHero.jpg"

2 entries: Post your superhero picture on your site and mention this giveaway on your blog linking to this post. Don't forget to comment below with your post link and superhero name and blurb about her/ his special ability.

3 entries: In addition to either of the two above entry requirements, tell me your favorite superhero book, comic or movie.

Entries: open to all countriesDeadline: Saturday, June 6, Midnight PSTWinner announced: Sunday, June 7

Book Reviews:

"Forget Kryptonite and radioactive spiders...Dull Boy is here to bring you a new brand of super hero, ready for the 21st century."--Shooting Stars Mag

"I absolutely adored the ending and will send my zombie kittehs after Sarah Cross is she does not write a sequel ASAP!"--Sharon Loves Books and Cats

"DULL BOY has it all – humor, friendship, family issues, a little romance, super powers. What more could you ask for?"--Karin's Book Nook

If you post a hero creation of your own please comment below with a link as I'd love to see it!

Description of Dull Boy from author's site:Sometimes I wish I didn't care what would happen if anyone knew the truth about me. But I do care. I have to keep this - super strength, flying - a secret. No one can know - not my parents, not my friends... It's just that it's getting harder to hide it.

Superpowers are awesome - unless you actually have them, like Avery does. There's only so much he can pass off as "adrenaline" before people start to get suspicious. Probably it's best to lie low, so guys in white lab coats don't come to carry him away, to find out what makes his freakish body tick. Who wants to be vivisected? But flying under the radar becomes a whole lot harder when you can actually fly. It's dangerous to be different, so for now he'll pretend to be normal, unremarkable Avery - a dull boy - anything to keep his secret safe.

What he doesn't expect is the horrifying truth about where his powers came from, who else might have them, and the madness of one villain's plan to turn this superpowered dull boy into something even more powerful and amazing.

This is my second Lovely award!Actually got it earlier this month but finally finished compiling my list of awardees.

This award is for 15 new blogs and new blogging friends newly-discovered bloggers by me:

Here are the rules:1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.3) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

6. Maggie of Bean Bag Books-for the review about The Ruins by Scott Smith

7. Liviania and Deimyts of In Bed With Books-for "Book reviews by two nineteen-year-olds who love books and editing. They're divided on their opinion about tomatoes. (Neither of them know what tomatoes have to do with anything.)"

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Description from book:As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also each other's only friend. So when Cameron disappeared without warning, Jennifer thought she'd lost the one person who would ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she is popular, happy, and dating -- everthing "Jennifer" couldn't be. But she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they both are confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.

Sweethearts is a story about the power of memory, the bond of friendship, and the quiet resilience of our childhood hearts.

My thoughts:In-a-word(s): Unfinished BusinessLoved it! Like the title the story was told in a sweet, gentle and delicious way. I liked how the main character develops and changes thoughout the story. Eating issues, boyfriends, girlfriends and self-image are also tackled along the way.

Friday, May 22, 2009

E. Van Lowe is will debut her first YA book, Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, in September.

Blurb from author's website:On the night of her middle school graduation, Margot Jean Johnson wrote a high school manifesto detailing her goals for what she was sure would be a most excellent high school career. She and her best friend, Sybil, would be popular and, most important, have boyfriends. Three years later they haven't accomplished a thing!

Then Margot and Sybil arrive at school one day to find that most of the student body has been turned into flesh-eating zombies. When kooky principal Taft asks the girls to coexist with the zombies until the end of the semester, they realize this could be the perfect opportunity to live out their high school dreams. Now all they have to do is stay alive...

Zombie Alert:I'm planning to do a zombie-themed weekend in September to celebrate this book release and to share some zombie love. Please email me if you're interested in co-hosting or participating in this event with me (vvb32@yahoo.com).

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Description from book:Cursed to live the lives of 100 dogs, a seventeenth-century pirate finally returns to life as a human being and has only one thing on her mind--to recover the treasure she had buried in Jamaica three hundred years before.

Description from the book:Cursed to live the lives of 100 dogs, a seventeenth-century pirate finally returns to life as a human being and has only one thing on her mind--to recover the treasure she had buried in Jamaica three hundred years before.

My thoughts:In-a-word: Arg!This is an amazing story that was well crafted and well told. There were references to dogs, pirates, reincarnation, romance, and historical times woven into the tale that takes place in Ireland, the Caribbean and the U.S. I enjoyed the pirate scenes the most. Loved to see a swashbuckling female pirate hold her own!

Interesting tidbits:Read about the cover art and check out A.S. King's red boots at readergirlz.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Inspiration: I was intrigued with the review from Persnickety Snark's YA podcast.

Description from book:Abandoned by her drug-addicted mother at the age of eleven, high school student Taylor Markham struggles with her identity and family history at a boarding school in Australia.

My thoughts:In-a-word: solaceI loved how the Jellicoe Road story unfolds. The first half of the book is clouded in mystery with dream sequences, stories within the story and a main character who is at odds. Then as reality sets in for the main character, we get to finally understand what is what and who is who. A bit of romance is thrown into the mix that make the characters even more likable.

Post event thoughts:And last but not least, the belle of the ball, Sarah Quigley, in her "Babs" tiara and rose gown. See picture of her in regalia at Cheryl Renee Herbsman's blog. From her intro we find out that the publishing world has been good to her. And, that she was discovered through her blog!

Here's only a snippet of the kiss and tell chapter what Sarah read (hardback, page 25)

"Drumroll, please," I say, tapping a wooden spoon on the countertop. "Evan kissed me on the lips! And I was like, 'Oh my God, my first kiss. It's really happening!'"

"What did it feel like?" Katie asks.

"Well, I was kind of surprised by how smooshy Evan's lips felt. They were almost like a ripe banana that's ready to be all mashed up and made into banana bread." Jai and Katie nod knowingly. Baking analogies totally work with these two. "So then our spit mixed together, and I finally understood why people use the word mushy to mean affectionate. It's like we weren't humans but more like fish or insects in a mating ritual on a nature show. And even as I was thinking about how bizarre the whole thing was, there was this crazy anergy rippling through me. Like an electric shock. Anyway, it was really weird and cool at the same time."

Post event thoughts:C. Lee was up second at the event. She told some funny anecdotes about using the name "C. Lee" for her new publication. Like being referred to as Seal-y Posturpedic or being teased with Hi-C as in fruit punch. "C" is actually for Cheryl which she has used with previous works. Then, C. Lee got serious and read the first paragraph from her book, Sliding on the Edge.

Something's wrong. It's not a heart-grabbing noise like when somebody jiggles the doorknob to see if it's locked. It's not a bitter smell like the electrical short we had last month, when all the breakers popped. No. It's something in the air, something like a ghost making its way through the room. And it can't be Monster, not after last night.

Oooooh. Serious grit here.

During the Q&A, C. Lee mentioned that she got her inspiration for the novel from an article she read in the paper about students who purposefully injure themselves by cutting, burning or other methods.

Cheryl was beautiful with her lovely dangly chandelier earrings. She started off the debut author trio by reading a passage from her book where the two main characters meet for the second time. She read with a southern accent which helped draw the audience into the story. Later Cheryl mentioned that although she wrote her characters with southern dialect it does not necessarily mean that they were not educated.

Here is just a snippet of what Cheryl read (hardcover, page 19):

I turn to look and there he is, staring right at me from up by the snack shack. Some kind of crazy zingy feeling goes shooting right on up my chest. I should have brung my inhaler--all the sudden my breathing is clunky. Hell 'n' high water, he's headed this way. And he's got that big ol' smile plastered on his face like I'm his long-lost best friend. And I haven't a clue what his long-lost best friend would say. I drop my bike down in the sand beside me.

"Hey," he says, just like last time.

Ah, hell. "Hey," I reply, promising myself that no matter what happens I will not run off like a baby.

Afterwards during the Q&A session, it was interesting to learn that Cheryl's first writing efforts was with the fantasy genre.

Description from wikipedia:The story follows the members of the Hopeless-Savage family. Parents Dirk Hopeless and Nikki Savage are old-school punks who were part of the 70's punk scene. They married and moved to the suburbs to raise their children. The three oldest, Rat Bastard, Arsenal Fierce, and Twitch Strummer, are grown and have moved out of the house; youngest daughter Skank Zero is in high school.

The thread running throughout the stories is a family which superficially doesn't fit the "norm" but which can still stand together and function better than most "normal" families.

The first miniseries deals with Dirk and Nikki being kidnapped and their children trying to find them. They suspect it has something to do with their parents' past; so Arsenal, Twitch, and Zero first track down their older brother Rat, who they believe would know more about the situation but who left the family ten years earlier. Zero is at first reluctant to find him, feeling betrayed when he left. They finally locate him using their father's real name as a pseudonym and working at a trendy coffee company's corporate office. After attempting to de-program him they unravel the mystery of their parents' abduction, which stems back to copyright issues and Dirk's embarrassing past as a teen idol.

My thoughts:In-a-word: Oi!You're in for a fun read. With character names like Rat, Arsenal, Twitch and Zero you can't go wrong. The kids are tough, creative and successful in their endeavors. They are superheroes in my eyes in their efforts to locate their kidnapped parents. The artwork was fitting and got you in that punky attitude. Loved it.

Taylor Markham is not a popular choice. She is erratic, has no people skills and never turns up to meetings. Not to mention the incident when she ran off in search of her mother and only got halfway there. But she's lived at Jellicoe School most of her life and as leader of the boarders that's her greatest asset. Especially now the cadets, led by the infamous Jonah Griggs, have arrived. The territory wars between the boarders, townies and cadets are about to recommence.

But Taylor has other things on her mind: a prayer tree, the hermit who whispered in her ear, and a vaguely familiar drawing in the local police station. Taylor wants to understand the mystery of her own past. But Hannah, the woman who found her, has suddenly disappeared, leaving nothing but an unfinished manuscript about five kids whose lives entwined twenty years ago on the Jellicoe Road.

Another beautiful and warm evening in San Francisco. Some people dressed in fancy garb for the occasion. Colorful tiara's were given away along with sweet treats. Jennifer from Not Your Mother's Book Club started the event and introduced the authors. The three authors sat up front and gave intros, read from their books, answered a few questions from the audience and then signed books.

Along with the author signing session, purchasers of any or all of the three books were treated to a free book giveaway, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams!

Description from the book:A Seattle fifteen-year-old explains some of the reasons for her recent panic attacks, including breaking up with her boyfriend, losing all her girlfriends, tensions between her performance-artist mother and her father, and more.

My thoughts:In-a-word: debacleInteresting way to sort out your life in regards to relationships - a boyfriend list. Each chapter, boyfriend themed, presented different aspects of the character which finally helped solve some of the main character's problems. After reading this book, I created my own boyfriend list. I ended up with about 13. The 13th dude ended up as my hubby. Although breaking up is hard to do, from each relationship I learned what likes and dislikes I had for a partner. All the boyfriend crushes, dates and acquaintances sure make sense in the end.

Series:The Boyfriend List The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them